Instructor, Gayle Stahlhuth, artistic director of East Lynne Theater Company, uses writing and simple acting exercises to trigger the writer's imagination. The workshop is geared for those who have written plays, as well as those who have always wanted to try their hand at writing a play. Participants are encouraged to create short plays during the workshop.

Aside from performing, directing, and producing, Stahlhuth is also a produced and published playwright, who has received writing commissions from The Smithsonian Institution, Theatreworks/USA and The Illinois and Missouri Humanities Councils, and grants from The New Jersey Humanities Council. Her plays have been performed at such places as the NYC International Fringe Festival, The Samuel French One-Act Festival, Manhattan Theatre Club, Arvada Center in Denver, the Pennsylvania Stage Company, the Phoenix Theater in Indianapolis, various universities, and the Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company, located in Cape May. She has taught playwriting to a variety of ages throughout the country at theaters, universities, libraries, public schools, and writing conferences. For several years, Gayle was a popular workshop leader at the now-disbanded North Wildwood Beach Writers' Conference. On February 17 of this year, she was a speaker at a symposium in NYC, sponsored by the nonprofit organization Dancers Over 40. Her topic here was how to create, perform, and market one-person shows. Aside from shows with a variety of cast sizes, she has written several one-person shows that toured the country, many times procuring bookings through Arthur Shafman International.

Fee is only $10 and may be paid at the door. This fee is unusually low due to the financial support of New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s “Stages Festival.” Advance registration appreciated and may be made by calling 609-884-5898 or e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com.

In March, the “Stages Festival” offers dozens of performances, workshops, classes, and events at theaters, art centers, libraries, schools, senior centers, and other community venues throughout the state. The program was developed to encourage New Jersey’s residents to attend their local professional theaters by making the experience affordable, accessible, and fun. To find out more visit www.stagesfestival.org.

Two of ELTC’s shows are going on tour due to “Stages Festival” funding: “Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Speckled Band” and “Victorian Magic” starring Broadway veteran Robert Aberdeen. (Go to HERE for more info on these tours.) Also, Stahlhuth will be directing students in a play she wrote about Cape May’s own Civil War Hero “Captain Henry Sawyer” at West Cape May Elementary School. The performance, open to the public and admission free, is on Wednesday, March 13 at 6:00 PM at the school, 301 Moore Street, West Cape May. ​Founded in 1981, NJTA was the first statewide service organization for professional, not-for-profit theater companies in the United States. The “Stages Festival” is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Alliance. Major funding is also provided by Bank of America, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, and PSEG Foundation. Additional support is provided by individuals, corporations, and foundations such as The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Fund for the New Jersey Blind, and George A. Ohl, Jr. Trust.​

ELTC's programs are made possible in part through funding from The NJ State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of The National Endowment for the Arts, The NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, the generosity of our Season Partners, and the generosity of many patrons.